"Alex, dude, wake up." Alex felt someone shaking him awake. He groaned, then let out a yawn as he stretched. He opened his eyes, being blinded by bright lights. He rolled over, covering his face. "It's seven in the afternoon."
"What?" He shot up, rubbing his eyes. He looked at the time on his phone. Jack was right. "How did you get into my house?"
"I walked in." He shrugged. "I was concerned when you hadn't showed up for school, or practice for that matter."
Alex groaned once more, and collapsed back onto his bed. "Well, stop being concerned and go home."
"Thanks, that means a lot." Jack rolled his eyes. He handed Alex an Advil and a glass of water. Alex pushed it away and sat up.
"I can't take those, they mess with my medication." He sighed. "No matter how much I'd like to take it, I'm dying right now."
"You should take a shower." Jack suggested. "You reek, and it'll probably make you feel better."
Alex narrowed his eyes at Jack as he laughed. "Thanks, you're really helping."
"I try to. So, why are you so fucked right now?" He asked. Alex climbed out of bed and searched for some clean clothes to put on when he got out of the shower.
"Jess broke up with me." He hated those words. He watched as Jack's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "I know, I don't get it either. She wouldn't exactly tell me why, either. I don't know what's up with her, I just hope she'll get over it soon."
"I'll talk to her, man. Don't worry about it, I know she'll tell me what's up. So, take your shower. I'll talk to you later." He said.
"I was going to check her phone. When I was talking to her, she was texting more rather than paying attention to me, which is something she hardly ever does. Text. Maybe if you can't get anything out of her, try that?" Alex suggested.
"I think I have a method to get stuff out of her. Don't you worry, Gaskarth. Just take your shower and maybe not get so fucked up tonight? I'll see you later, man." Jack patted his friends' back. Alex nodded, and Jack left. Finally, he climbed into the shower. Jack was quite right, it felt wonderful.
The prior night, Alex could hardly deal with his own mind. The terrorizing thoughts that were running through it. He couldn't bare it, so he got drunk. He drank almost a whole fifth by himself. He can't remember what he'd done, so he checked his phone. His recent texts were to Lisa.
A: Have you spoken to Jess?
L: Nope, sorry Alex. How are you?
A: Not good at all.
L: I'm sorry to hear that. Can I do anything?
A: Get Jess to love me again, haha, but I know you can't do that. Don't worry about it.
L: Well, I can't help but worry about you, Alex.
A: Why?
L: Well, I care about you.
A: Wait, what?
L: You're a sweet, gorgeous boy Alex. Anyone would be lucky to have you. I'm sorry Jess couldn't see that.
A: You really think that?
L: I do, as I've gotten to know you, I've developed a bit of feelings for you.
A: Uh, thanks.
L: I'm guessing you don't feel the same?
A: No, sorry. I love Jess. I'm down in the dumps now, but I'm not gonna stop fighting for her. Even if she doesn't want to see me for some reason.
